Page 34 of Master of Netherfield
Georgiana was sleepy in the carriage after the entertainments at Longbourn. William kept her at his side during the journey home to Netherfield and carried her inside the house and up the stairs to her room where a bemused nanny waited.
“She will bathe in the morning, sir,” Nanny Brice assured him as she changed the young girl’s clothing for a nightgown.
“Nanny,” William asked. “Who were the maids that attended my sister at Pemberley?”
Nanny Brice looked up and saw the young master’s eyes were intent. “I believe Mrs Reynolds is the lady with whom you should make your inquiries sir. I know she changed the girls assigned to Miss Darcy’s rooms last year about this time.”
“Thank you, Nanny,” William told her. “Your care of my sister is much appreciated.”
**++**
In Hertfordshire, Mrs Bennet asked, “Elizabeth, what shall we give Mr Darcy for Christmas?”
This conversation occurred the morning the Gardiners were to arrive at Longbourn.
“I have asked cook to prepare a ham for supper tonight–I know my brother and Mr Darcy both like the ham that cook prepares. We have sheet music for Miss Georgie but what shall we give to her brother?”
Noticing her usually talkative daughter was quiet, Mrs Bennet waited until Elizabeth went to her sewing basket and presented her mother with a half dozen pieces of cloth. “I have made these handkerchiefs for Mr Darcy. His valet told Georgie he likes muslin handkerchiefs, and he needs new ones.”
“These are very nice work Lizzy,” Mrs Bennet complimented her daughter. As Mrs Bennet turned them around she found the embroidery work in the corners–a bow and a pair of arrows on each handkerchief.
“These stitches are very fine!” she told her daughter without embarrassing her on the subject matter. “Very nice embroidery.”
“Truly, Mamma?” Elizabeth asked. “I tried very hard to use small stitches.”
“Even your Aunt Gardiner would be impressed.”
Elizabeth was pleased with her mother’s praise and only hoped Mr Darcy would be appreciative and notice. Since late summer, Mrs Bennet watched her growing daughter experience her first infatuation with a gentleman and the mother decided to allow nature to take its course.
**++**
Mr Bennet enjoyed the banter between his brother and his neighbour. Gardiner and William agreed on Prime Minister Grenville’s war policies but disagreed on the restrictions for import of corn.
“As long as Parliament blocks the import of grains from other countries, the price of bread will remain high. My workers have trouble feeding their families and keeping a roof over their heads with their wages.”
“Then raise your wages,” William said.
“Not if I want to make a profit,” Edward replied. “I have to pay taxes to support His Majesty’s armies and navy.”
The conversation turned to ideas for investments in a couple ventures for sailing ships headed for India and the Dutch East Indies, a manufacture in Liverpool for cloth, and property for sale in Devon.
At some point, William pulled out one of his new handkerchiefs and Mr Bennet grinned. “I see you have continued your appreciation of the tales of Robin Hood.”
Blushing William folded and returned the cloth to his pocket. “I have indeed, Bennet. My sister has asked that I obtain a copy of the tales for our library. Miss Elizabeth has woven several tales that have captured Georgiana’s attention.”
“I hope you will take care with my daughter’s attention,” Mr Bennet said. “She views you as an older brother now and she is only fifteen years.”
“I shall be most careful sir,” William replied.
**++**
Chapter 15.Lady Catherine’s Horses
Spring arrived quickly after winter and during the days when the farmers were in the fields sewing grain, Mrs Bennet found the time of her confinement upon her. A boy from the stable was sent into fields to locate Mr Bennet and the coachman was sent to Meryton to bring the midwife to Longbourn. Kissing her daughters, Mrs Bennet sent them out the door to walk to Netherfield to visit with Georgie and Nanny Brice while their mother was delivered of her sixth child.
Jane and Elizabeth led their sisters across the fields and meadows for the long walk between the manor houses, but they paused to pick flowers, laugh at the antics of lambs playing in the pasture and watch birds so that they arrived without the youngest being exhausted. Upon reaching the great house, the five sisters went above stairs to the music room where Georgiana practiced a new song on the pianoforte. Mary and Kitty immediately joined her on the bench while Jane saw to Lydia, and Elizabeth explained their presence to Nanny Brice.
“Forgive us Nanny,” Elizabeth explained. “Mother sent the carriage to fetch the midwife, and our father is in the fields with the tenants.”
